Fresh off his second season with the University of Minnesota, where he collected 14 points and 30 penalty minutes in 40 games, Skjei enters the upcoming campaign with plenty of appeal in dynasty formats. The 21-year-old signed an entry-level deal with the Rangers this past spring, and made his debut with AHL Hartford shortly thereafter. While we wouldn’t be surprised to see Skjei receive a taste of NHL action at some point this season, the organization is brimming with depth on the blue line, so it’s more likely the highly touted defenseman will get a full uninterrupted year of work with Hartford.

2014-15

One of the Rangers' most-prized prospects, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Skjei recorded a plus-15 rating to go along with 14 points for the University of Minnesota last season. Word around the blogosphere is that the team is trying to convince the 20-year-old to skip his final two years of eligibility at the college level and go pro, but any overtures by the Rangers have not been accepted to this point. Reports suggest Skjei is not exactly jumping at the chance to leave college, with the desire to compete for a national championship with his hometown Gophers proving to alluring. At the moment, it looks like Skjei will remain a promising young prospect for only dynasty owner’s eyes.

2013-14

The Rangers' first round pick (2012) is quickly drawing comparisons to another two-way defenseman from the University of Minnesota, Ryan McDonagh. Grant McCagg of TSN.ca predicts that Skjei “May have the size/skating ability to be given top three minutes on an NHL blue line someday.” In addition to posting a goal and two assists and a plus-20 with the Minnesota Gophers in 2012-13, the 6'2, 200-pound defenseman registered four goals and 19 assists in 60 games while with the U.S. National U18 Team. Skjei, 19, is certainly worth a glance in dynasty leagues every so often as the Rangers will likely begin to part with some of their excess defensive corps by the time Skjei has developed.

2012-13

Skjei was taken with the Rangers' first-round pick in the 2012 entry draft. He'll play this season with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, but Skjei obviously has the talent to make some noise for the Rangers within the next few years.